Crusaders edge Blues in arm wrestle to reach Super Rugby Pacific final

Will Jordan scored two tries as the Canterbury Crusaders recovered from an early deficit to edge the reigning champion Auckland Blues 21-14 and reach a 17th Super Rugby final in a match of rare intensity on Friday.

The Blues hammered away at the home try line for more than six minutes after the hooter looking for a converted try to force overtime but came away empty-handed as the Crusaders defence held firm and kept them on track for a 13th title.

A try from Tom Christie set the Crusaders on their way as they fought back from 14-0 down in the 21st minute to guarantee a return to their home fortress next week to face the Waikato Chiefs or ACT Brumbies.

Neither the Chiefs nor Brumbies, who meet in the second semi-final on Saturday, will relish a trip to Christchurch, where the Crusaders are now unbeaten in 31 playoff matches over the three decades of Super Rugby.

The Blues seriously hit us. Hell of a side. They were the champions and showed that tonight. We just managed to hold out, said All Blacks fullback Jordan.

We knew the Blues werent going to come down here and give it to us easy. Its finals footy, you find yourself in a bit of adversity and thats where you just try to take a step forward and embrace it.

The Blues, who had just scraped into the playoffs, made it clear that they would be looking to play an expansive game from the third minute when Beauden Barrett fired a cross-kick over to Caleb Clarke on the left wing.

The Crusaders snuffed out the danger that time but the visitors soon silenced the crowd when a raking AJ Ram kick resulted in a five-metre scrum and winger Mark Telea dived over in the